Living in fear

If we take the time to look at the world outside of our personal bubbles, what is it that we see? What is it we feel? What is really going on out there?

We are the most advance species on the planet, yet many of us fear going anywhere in the world these days because of the chance of never seeing the light of day again.

If I am honest with myself (touching on my previous post on leaving social media), I can see why people distract themselves with puppy filters, memes and silly polls. It is either seeing those or the scary reality that is currently happening all around the world.

I recently had to do a course on how to act if I were suddenly attacked at my place of work, with a dramatised video of people being shot dead and a group of scared civilians figuring out how not to die.

I travel quite frequently and I have gone over in my own head what I would do if I was at a place that was suddenly under attack, if there was gunfire what would I do? Could I play dead? Could I find somewhere to hide? Would I survive? It is all in good fun doing an online quiz and finding on if you would survive this or that, but in actuality would we?

Are we prepared? Do we need to be? Where is next? If you were really in such a devastating situation, how would you act? I can run a movie type scenario in my head, but I have zero clue if I would actually be capable of doing such things as my imagination shows me I can.

I really just can not fathom how we got to this. I do not want to be scared of walking the street and facing a potential attack. I do not want to be scared that if someone acts slightly out of character in an airport, that it might be my last day on this planet, but what is the alternative? Immerse myself in distractions? # something silly that is trending on social media, say I have done my bit and distract myself further until something else happens?

All I know is I am not a hero, I would not even pretend to be. I am one person and I am clueless about how to live in this current world.

To those people who complain about trivial things such as it is too hot, you had to wait an extra ten minutes for your meal at a restaurant, you are stuck in traffic, just be thankful you are alive. Appreciate things and stop being so negative about silly things. We need more positivity in this world. One thing we are responsible for is how we respond to things. Do not make life more difficult for yourselves and those around you. Take an extra few seconds and ask yourself first if it is worth it. I guarantee you 9 times out of 10 it is not. Try and see the good in things, it is there. If you spent the time looking for the good instead of the bad, guess what? You would find that instead.

I think we as a species need to lighten up a lot and see the real issues. If we all got out of our bubbles for a while and stuck together, worked together, figured things out together then maybe we would not have to be scared of the world we live in. We have a lot of energy between us, a vast amount of knowledge and it all seems to be going to waste. What can we do? I genuinely want to know.

I am sorry if this got heavy, I just need to understand this world and I do not.

Your one small voice could make a small change in a person’s attitude, like the people who leave the comments here and those people either preach other people or help other people recognize their bubbles, because most of the time, we don’t even know we are living inside of one and most certainly we all are living inside a slightly smaller or bigger bubble. The real change starts small and spread like disease, the sudden outburst of passion or attitude change will never last, until it’s supplemented by small changes every day. You already did you part for today by writing this poet, find something to do tomorrow and the next day and so on, until we care not just about the things we already care but also about the things which are worth caring about. Have a great day!

Sara, perhaps we are the first trickles of consciousness from a vast dam of human empathy about to burst! I hope so. Surely so many more of us exhibit the core qualities of humanity that can overcome the fear, the unknown peril. We have to be hopeful. A wonderful piece by the way. I felt every word.

I like that and I am not just saying it, I am actively doing it personally too. This year I vowed to be the best version of myself and I have turned so many potentially bad days around and ended them with a smile on my face whereas in the past I would cry myself to sleep and wish for days upon days to be over. A small change in one’s attitude makes a monumental difference, it is pretty fascinating!

I think that the only way mankind will ever unify is if we get attacked by an alien species. The world is a scary place, crime is everywhere and scammers are lurking out there to take advantage of everyone, because they are too lazy to get a real job.

I personally do not think any one demographic is to blame and playing the blame game altogether is counterproductive. We could all do to make changes no matter how small to improve for ourselves and others around us.

We all have a choice on any day if we are going to let fear hold us in prison or open our hearts to trust and love. There are times we need to withdraw to do soul work and to seek shelter. Just be loving and kind that is all we really need to be, both to ourselves and others. ❤

Reblogged this on The Wandering Armadillo and commented:
I’ve decided to share Sara’s poignant piece, because in it I find hope, and the ingredients for a way forward in our troubled times. Also, I shall be able to re-read it from time to time. A recipe of hope.

I live in a country with a high crime rate but it is unlikely that we’ll see a terrorist attack. All the same we have to be mindful when going out at night but we can’t just stay locked up in our houses. I think you just have to get out there and live.

Sara, I admire your genuine feelings. You’ve thought this out well, in spite of the fact that these attacks, by their very nature, preclude our planning for all the contingencies. I, too, play out these “how I’d react” scenarios in my mind. One of my recurring thoughts is that were I to wind up dying, I’d only hope that it would’ve been because I had helped save someone else’s life.

A very thoughtful piece in which I believe you already answer your question as to what can be done: “I think we as a species need to lighten up a lot and see the real issues.” Yes, and love one another like we really mean it. Well done.

Recently, I attended a theatrical performance that dramatized refugees moving across the border of Syria in to Turkey. Sound effects and all I sat in the comfort of my velvet theatre seat and was completely awed – and then I thought afterward, this is very real. Thank you for this write.

Makes me feel selfish when I stop and think what they’re going through. Real live human beings who have just as much to live on this planet as we do and they’re being shunned and protested against for chance at a life. Thinking about it beings a mix of emotions and then I feel useless because I can’t do anything and then I think about all of the other things that are happening in the world that I can’t do anything about and my brain just whirls off into space. It is a cruel world, that is for sure and certain. I won’t carry on or this will turn into a full scale rant.

I know it’s not as many as some people have but today my blog TanyaTale.wordpress.com where i share my short stories hit 1000 views! I am so honoured to think 1000 people have read my stories. My New Years resolution was to get to 1000 views by 31st December so for it to happen by July I am utterly

Well done as always. It’s not easy to write about life, especially if you have anxiety or depression. In the last year-and-a-half, I have found Stoicism to be comforting when faced with anxiety. I try to look at what’s in my control and not within my control. I would highly recommend the writings of Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Seneca.

‘Fear’ is what we imagine the future might hold for us. But, if we get into the depth of it, Fear is just far-fetched. It’s not the reality. It’s just a part of our imagination. Reality is in the present, which we miss out when we think too much of the future. So, try focussing on your present as much as you can. It will take time, but will surely come with practice. Switch your attention to something else when you realize such fear is about to take its toll on you.
I hope you are doing better now, and wish that you can overcome this anxiety completely. All the best and keep working 🙂

Great blog, and very well written. The world is a scary place but it’s our oyster and our playground some people abuse it and others take advantage of it…

I recently posted a blog on fear because I personally think it’s all an illusion, a smoke screen to stop us moving forward in life and once you get past it then you will see a big change but in a great way.

I like the idea of leaving social media. I am practicing something similar too. It wears you down and clusters your thoughts into nothing. Taking time out and thinking for yourself is the best thing to do in any case. Even if you feel bored stop doing what the whole world is doing. Even if it’s popular. Big up to you.

I loved your piece on this subject. That’s a good question, what would one do in a situation where your life is in immidete danger. I live in Berlin and as you know we just recently had the attacks at the Christmas market back in December. If you ever been to Berlin, you would know we are open for a major attack as security isn’t a big issue for some reason. But I will say this, far as I know, I’m the only American living here that actually grew up around drugs, gangs, and guns. I have been in the situation where I could have killed a group of people ( with my father’s gun) but a calm mind was the ruler of the day. My life was in danger but that situation showed me that I’m not a coward nor stupid either confronted with death. Some people panic and that’s even worse I believe. Because can we panic when a bill is passed due or we miss that flight to Mallorca. But not with your life, that’s the time when one should be cunning and of sound mind.

There is the goodness among the people which still makes this world a place to live. The fear of coming out of the bubble and accepting the positive things around and within us can only be achieved if we truly want a change. And the change, even if it’s small, begins from within.